LORI DUNN SCRATCHBOARD ART
promoting conservation through artistic efforts
Nautilus I Nautilus II
10 x 10 each
NAUTILUS I SOLD
NAUTILUS II SOLD
I've always been drawn to patterns and symmetry in nature and one of my artistic heroes is German artist and zoologist, Ernst Haeckel. Born in 1834, Haeckel was torn between studying art and science, finally deciding to merge both in what was to become a highly successful career as both a professor and illustrator.
In a letter to a friend, Haeckel wrote; "...life is anything but tedious owing to nature's inexhaustible richness which, time and again, produces ever-new, beautiful and fascinating forms that provide new material to speculate and ponder over, to draw and describe." How these words resonate with me, and given my life followed a similar path combining zoology and art, I can relate to his philosophical musings.
Haeckel was a pioneer in leading scientific illustration into the world of fashionable art. Taxonomically combining creatures of similar biology, pattern and form together on one panel, in a symmetrical composition, he created visually pleasing tapestries of organic forms that were a delight even to the avant garde art enthusiasts of the day. My admiration for this artist doesn't end there...Haeckel's work astonishes me. Specializing in marine creatures, his black and white etchings of these, and other invertebrates in particular, are simply stunning. Rendered with sharp, striking contrast and jaw-dropping detail, is it any wonder they have been a continued inspiration!
Once in a while I do an artwork with no thought in mind except the sheer joy of etching it out, and such was the case here. A slight nod to Haeckel, and in looking beyond the organic form to see the incredible geometry and symmetry that can be found in nature.
